4.5 out of 5 stars
E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 2nd edition. 218 pages. Published May 11th 2020 by E.J. Russell (first published January 8th 2019)
Blurb:
Can a chance meeting rekindle their incendiary attraction?
While cutting through the Interstices—the post-creation gap between realms—Smith, half-demon tech specialist for Enchanted Occasions Event Planning, spies the person he yearns for daily but dreads ever seeing again: the ifrit, Hashim of the Windrider clan.
On their one literally smoldering night together, Smith, stupidly besotted, revealed his true name—a demon’s greatest vulnerability. When Hashim didn’t return the favor, then split the next morning with no word? Message received, loud and clear: Thanks but no thanks.
Although Hashim had burned to return Smith’s trust, it was impossible. The wizard who conjured him holds his true name in secret, and unless Hashim discovers it, he’ll never be free.
When their attraction sparks once more, the two unite to search for Hashim’s hidden name—which would be a hell of a lot easier if they didn’t have to contend with a convention full of food-crazed vampires on the one day out of the century they can consume something other than blood.
But if they fail, Hashim will be doomed to eternal slavery, and their reignited love will collapse in the ashes.
Luckily Smith is the guy who gets the job done—and Hashim is never afraid to heat things up.
Likes:
- Smith and Hashim, together and separately.
- More smut than the last book.
- Good non-romantic plot.
- Good side characters.
- Kept me hooked.
- No info dumping.
- Everything wrapped up well in the end.
- Expanded world building.
Dislikes:
- Not as fun and fluffy as the first book.
- Want more of the series.
Unlike with Nudging Fate, this was not a reread. So I was surprised that the overall feel of this book was very different from the first. Nudging Fate was light and fluffy, but Devouring Flame definitely had an edge to it. I should have expected it, after all, the blurb straight up says that “if they fail, Hashim will be doomed to eternal slavery.”
Despite the fact that Hashim spends a lot of the book worried about what his future looks like, the book isn’t all doom and gloom. Smith is determined to free Hashim and to have a future together. Hashim goes through a number of emotional shifts during the book, from hopeful to defeated to angry and determined. I liked that, no matter how bad things got, neither Smith nor Hashim ever gave up.
There was more smut in this book than the last. Nothing too graphic or drawn out, but the passion was definitely there. It fit with the characters and the fact that they were both fire types. I enjoyed how well matched Smith and Hasim were in that respect. It added to their connection, which any good sex scene should.
The non-romantic plot was definitely more interesting in this book than in the first. So much was going on, but it was well balanced with the romance. Plus, the book was hard to put down. I’ll say this for E.J. Russell, she knows how to write a good plot.
The beginning didn’t hook me right away. It’s made clear that something happened between Smith and Hashim in the first book, but the specifics come out in dribs and drabs. This was good in that there were no info dumps. But it made the beginning feel a little slow.
In the end, everything was wrapped up really well. Not just with the romance, but with the non-romantic plot and even the side characters. The Enchanted Occasions staff was great once again, and a number of new side characters made an appearance. Special shout out to Rion for being a sweetheart.
I do wish the series would continue. There aren’t too many main members of the Enchanted Occasions staff left, but I would happily read stories about Mikos, Dr. Evan Makori, and any new EO staff members who get added to the roster. Especially since the world building got expanded on a bit.
Be sure to check out the review for the first book, Nudging Fate, and the novella about the Olesson-Pakulski wedding, Best Beast.
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